Melford Knight - time to retire...?

In short - and there's no legal problems about this next statement (because I was a witness) - tonight a Mossley supporter was attacked by an opposition player IN THE CAR PARK AFTER THE GAME...........

... so - me home from tonight's game at Trafford - a 3-3 draw with Trafford nicking an equaliser in the 94th minute - but the game was totally overshadowed by the "apres match antics" ...so b*ll*x to the pictures for now anyway.

The game of football covers many many things - and at the non-league level "things" are more easily put into focus, due to smaller crowds and the closeness of players and fans. Banter and insults are more obvious - reactions are naturally more obvious - tonight we (or at least three of us) saw the darker side.

Melford Knight - he's "been around" as they say in non-league circles - spent three years with Mossley - a solid midfield player with an eye for goals (scored 16 for Mossley in just over 100 appearances). However - there was aways that "edge" about the man - cannot give you the red/yellow card stats - and that "edge" was never a comfortable one. He left Mossley "under a cloud" - mostly due to the demise of Jason Beckford - and has moved around a bit since then - so you could say there IS a bit of "previous" with some of the Mossley fans.

We've crossed paths on several occasions since his departure from Seel Park - and naturally he has received some stick - as most ex-players do. Tonight was no exception (me as the photographer - looking to stand in the right place for ME - note that I was not standing with most of the Mossley fans - I never do - but we are talking about a crowd of 106 - you can hear everything ...). Now hear this - Melford Knight was Trafford's captain tonight - don't you expect the man with the armband to lead by example ? He got a yellow card tonight - he continually moaned - he continually niggled - and he continued to show that bit of skill that makes him a good player .... but that "edge", that bloody "edge" - and I'm afraid the yellow card proves that point - and that was his behaviour ON the pitch ...

Anyway - to the point (if you're all still awake) - Trafford snatch a late equaliser - Mossley fans not pleased - much shouting at all as they leave the pitch (even the Trafford fans admitted that the set of officials tonight were p*ss poor !). I'd turned up at the game via train - but was offered a lift back to Mossley - which I accepted. We got back to the car (NOTE - car park about 200 yards from the ground) - doors unlocked - and then it kicked off - we three were surrounded by some Trafford players - and the "cronies" of one certain player (guess who) - and this particular player (guess who) hit my fellow passenger on the head - this particular player (guess who) and his "cronies" (some of whom were NOT Trafford players it has to be said) continued to push/shove/insult/threaten - and may well have damaged the car ( the owner will be checking in the full light of day tomorrow - any damage costs may well be forwarded to Trafford FC) - to put it bluntly they were a total disgrace to Trafford FC - as far as I am concerned a particular player (guess who) should be sacked immediately, told to attend anger management classes and also learn to cope with football banter on his own rather than taking the cowardly route of "getting his gang together"... I could say that the behaviour tonight was akin to a Sunday morning pub team - but I feel I would be doing a disservice to Sunday morning pub teams ...

So Trafford - while that particular player (guess who) is involved with your club - he disgraces your club and therefore I'm afraid you as a club disgrace this league.

(Can I just add one "voice of reason" - Joe & Robyn - you were the attempted "calm down" side of things - but I'm afraid you had no chance - your particular team mate (guess who) and his "cronies" just ... f**ked it up -so it's up to you whether you feel the need to be involved with people like that).

I await any further comments ...

(E&OE)
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